core

#### Importing a CAD by Reference

You can have multiple measurement routines reference a single CAD model. If you are using large CAD models, you can reference just one .cad file for multiple measurement routines to save disk space.

To reference a .cad file used in another measurement routine:

1. Select the File | Import | CAD By Reference menu option to show an Import dialog box.

2. From the file type list, you can choose to import a .cad, .draw, or .plancad file.

- If you import a .plancad file, the software imports both the plan features and the embedded CAD model.

- If PC-DMIS detects changes in the original .plancad file that you're referencing, it asks if you want to use the Change Manager to handle those changes. For information on the Change Manager, see "Updating Inspection Plans with the Change Manager".

The software only reloads the CAD model if the original .plancad file is modified.

3. Use the Import dialog box, and navigate to the folder that contains the file to import. Then select the file.

4. Click Import to import the CAD file.

You cannot have circular references to .cad files. These result in error messages. For example, an error would occur if you created a measurement routine, imported an IGES file, saved the measurement routine, and then later attempted to import its own .cad file.

Once imported, you can use the View | CAD Info menu option to view information about a CAD element and display the file path for the referenced CAD file. For information, see "View | CAD Info" in the "Editing the CAD Display" chapter.

Be aware that modifications made to the CAD model - either the original CAD model or a referenced CAD model - are made to all other measurement routines based on that CAD model. For example, if you make changes to the original CAD model, any models referenced from the original are also changed. Conversely, if you make changes to a referenced model, then the original model also has the same changes made.